cargo
“cargo” means “cargo” in Spanish. It has 4 different meanings depending on context:
cargo, shipment, freight
Also: load
📝 In Action
El barco llegó al puerto con un cargo de plátanos.
A2The ship arrived at the port with a cargo of bananas.
El cargo aéreo es más rápido pero más caro.
B1Air freight is faster but more expensive.
position, post, office
Also: job, responsibility
📝 In Action
Ella aceptó el cargo de directora general.
B1She accepted the position of general director.
Es un cargo con mucha responsabilidad.
B1It's a position with a lot of responsibility.
Dimitió de su cargo político el mes pasado.
B2He resigned from his political office last month.
charge, accusation
Also: count
📝 In Action
El hotel aplicó un cargo adicional por el servicio de habitación.
B1The hotel applied an additional charge for room service.
El fiscal presentó tres cargos contra el acusado.
B2The prosecutor filed three charges against the defendant.
¿Quién está a cargo de este proyecto?
B1Who is in charge of this project?
I load, I carry
Also: I charge
📝 In Action
Yo cargo las maletas en el coche.
A1I load the suitcases into the car.
Siempre cargo con mi mochila a todas partes.
A2I always carry my backpack with me everywhere.
Cargo mi teléfono todas las noches.
A2I charge my phone every night.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: cargo
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'cargo' to mean a professional position?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the verb 'cargar', which is from Late Latin 'carricāre', meaning 'to load onto a wagon or cart'. This itself comes from the Latin word 'carrus', which means 'cart'. You can see how the idea of 'loading something' expanded to mean the load itself ('cargo'), the responsibility you carry ('position'), and the financial or legal burden ('charge').
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'cargo' and 'carga'?
They're very close! Think of 'carga' as the more general word for 'load'—it can be anything you carry, from groceries to a load of laundry. 'Cargo' is more specific and usually refers to commercial goods being transported, like on a ship or plane (freight/shipment). While 'cargo' can sometimes mean a general load, 'carga' is much more common for everyday situations.
How do I use 'a cargo de' vs. 'hacerse cargo de'?
Great question! 'Estar a cargo de...' describes a state: who is responsible right now. ('Juan está a cargo del proyecto' - Juan is in charge of the project). 'Hacerse cargo de...' describes an action: taking on the responsibility. ('Juan se hizo cargo del proyecto' - Juan took charge of the project).